Mediterranean Moments and Basic Grey scraps

I'm sure you have no idea why I had to buy a stamp set from Stampin' Up?  Well, most of you probably do!  I have a kitty that looks a lot like the one perched on this stool!

  

This is Mr. Bilbo Baggins (aka. Babycakes).  He is waiting for me to wash his face for him.  Seriously!  

Back to the card!  I used more scraps from the Basic Gray kit, and colored with my Inktense pencils.  The sentiment "From Meow To You" is from a kitty set I recently bought but can't remember the company name. I tried to whitewash the wall behind the kitty - but it really doesn't show up much (especially in the photo).  Perhaps next time I will use a light shadowing Copic to fill in around the edges of this image.  

Using the Reverse

Have you ever cut a die image and then looked at the leftover piece and said to yourself "I must make something with this, too!".  That's what happened here.  This green design paper is a brand new CTMH one - I got it in a workshop kit that has the most darling stamp set (small circular flowers and sentiments like "Always know . . . I'm here for you".  Wonderful set.  Anyway, that about the green paper.  

So I used a piece from the Charlotte papers (Jan 2016) and a zip-strip from that pack.  The little girl is paper pieced with scraps from the Charlotte papers also.  She is a Birdie Brown image I bought from My Favorite Stamps (MFT).  I really see her on a Christmas card, catching snowflakes, but that will come later.  

Two more seashells

These used another pack of scraps!  I'm feeling so GOOD about using some of these things I have hoarded for YEARS!  These were left-overs from a class a friend and I took at a now out-of-business scrapbook place in Payson, AZ.  The papers are Basic Grey - and they really look amazing with this Quick Card Sea Shell stamp from CTMH.  

Using up SCRAPS!

I found a bag with about 5 partial pieces of design paper from a former CTMH project special (Scrapbooking Month?).  I had been wanting to make an arch of butterflies, after seeing a cool one on Pinterest.  So, the arch of the partial circle gave me an idea!  I took a fairly small butterfly stamp (are you like me and have a ga-billion butterflies?) and after stamping it in different color inks (Crystal Blue, Lagoon, Indian Corn Blue, Sweet Leaf, Sky) I decided to outline it for a little more pop.  I like both cards and they didn't take much time to create!  Can you tell I'm in a frantic, get-it-done mode right now?

Quick cards with scraps of retired CTMH design papers

I pulled out everything that seemed "Hawaiian" to me - so of course I needed to use this retired CTMH Quick Card with the beautiful seashell! It really was quick!  I had some gorgeous scraps of paper that inspired the colors.  The bottom card doesn't show up well, the shell is actually colored pink.  Delicate and lovely!  

Favorite?

I'm not sure why, but this card is my favorite.  I think it's the sweet floral paper and the way the hearts just let the paper shine!  Anyway, the gingham is the reverse side of the flowers.  The pink was the same cardstock as the card base and the one dark pink heart was from a scrap cardstock piece of Hollyhock (maybe?).  Anyway, it makes me happy.  Hope you have a wonderful Valentines Day with those you love!

These were the same design, with different papers and ribbons!  The heart outline is a new CTMH Thin Cut die that makes the outline and the inside heart (in three sizes!).  The Happy is from the "Happy Birthday" thin cut.  I think all total I made about 15 Valentines this year!  (yes, some were duplicates).  

Valentines

Playing around with papers, scraps of ribbons and my heart thin cuts (and the HAPPY from Happy Birthday) and I came up with some Valentines!  These came together pretty quickly!  Fun!  Inside I stamped a simply Happy Valentines Day greeting.  

Tu Tu Cute! Giraffe

This fun card is for one of Steve's foster Granddaughters.  I combined the Swan Lake papers from the Seasonal Expressions mini-catalog with old-old-old CTMH design papers.  The envelope used an old design paper back when they were all grouped in packages with different patterns and only one sided.  That paper is perfect for envelopes because it isn't cardstock!  Anyway, I really like my little giraffe!  She has Glimmer on her darker tan spots, and lipstick on her mouth.  *giggle*  The ribbon was from my stash.  Tu Tu Cute!

Butterfly card! Happy Mail!

Look what I got in the mailbox!!  HAPPY MAIL!  Thank you Alanna, for this lovely card!  It's even prettier in person!!  You can see her post and details here.

Birthday - Bird houses

I had pinned a card in Pinterest with this idea and finally got around to making one!  I used a die cut for the branch, a scrap (smaller than I usually keep!) of design floral paper, and a small piece of CTMH Home Fundamentals (the wood grain).  The buttons and ribbon were from my stash.  The sentiment is CTMH and I used Hollyhock ink because no matter that it is retired, it is still one of my most favorite "rose" colors.

Then, I mounted the houses with a little foam adhesive, and popped up the entire front piece on foam adhesive over a card base of CTMH Sky cardstock.  So fun!! I think I'm going to make more of these!

Birthday Gift!

I had the nicest birthday surprise from family in Minnesota!  They sent a big box full of crafty things!  There were tags, (lots of tags!), glimmer tape, a lace punch, and a stamp set from Fiskars called Latte Love.  (someone must has tipped them off to my coffee addiction!).  LOL

So, I tried to use the gifts to make a thank you card!  The papers are from the Fall pack called Swan Lake.  The tea bag was stamped onto the design paper to make a background on the main front of the card.  There is a "zip strip" on the top of this paper that is bright yellow and I decided it was a wonderful pop of color!  I paper pieced the cup, added Glimmer Pen (Wink-of-Stella) to the steam, and punched the black lace border.  The inside has a white base for the written greeting but I failed to photograph that part!  Fun!